Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised both sets of fans after his first return to Old Trafford as an opposing manager. Solskjaer spent 11 years as a player and a further three years in charge of United's reserves before moving to his native Norway to manage Molde in 2011, returning to England this month. And he was given a rousing reception by Red Devils fans as he took his place in the dugout ahead of kick-off, with both United and Cardiff supporters singing his name throughout. Asked by What Culture! what that kind of reception meant to him in his post-match press conference, the former striker said:
I've always had a great relationship with United fans so that was fantastic, and I'm hoping to get the same relationship with the Cardiff fans - I think they were fantastic today as well, 3,000, you kept hearing them singing and I think we kept the United crowd quite quiet tonight so that's a sign of a good overall performance from my team.
Cardiff were in the contest for large periods despite falling behind to an early Robin van Persie goal, and gave a good account of themselves until Ashley Young ended the contest on the hour. But Solskjaer thinks his side are on the right lines, despite remaining rock bottom of the Premier League. The Norwegian admitted:
We need more urgency, maybe a bit more cleverness or shrewdness, and be more direct, because it's hard to, in front of 75,000 to scream out to your players to do that, but we'll get there, I've seen a positive, positive development definitely.
Solskjaer was also confident about his side's chances of avoiding relegation this season, and thinks the two new signings from United could help. Full-back Fabio has signed permanently from the champions while Wilfried Zaha is nearing a loan move to the Welsh club. Given Fabio's close relationship with twin brother Rafael, the Bluebirds boss was questioned on whether Fabio will be able to settle down in his new environment. Fabio and Rafael each began their careers with Fluminense in 2005 and both arrived at Old Trafford at the same time in 2008. But Solskjaer says he will take him under his wing.
He had a few more options, abroad, but I think he wanted to stay near his family, they all live together, and they have played in the same team together their entire lives, but of course this is a new challenge, Rafa comes after the game and asks me to look after his brother - his big brother, because apparently Rafa was a few minutes later - so now I'll look after him, but he'll be good for us.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
